Distributer for electric igniters.



c. T. BLAKE. DISTRIBUTER FOR ELECTRIC IGNITERS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I5. I914- Q Patented July 20, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

74 VIII auuen'foz C. T. BLAKE.

DISTRIBUTER FOR ELECTRIC IGNITERS.

APPLICATION FILED IULY 5. 1914.

1,147,598. Patented July 20, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

5] m uc mtoz CJTBZaHQ/ CHARLES T. BLAKE, OF ST. PETEBSBURG', FLORIDA.

DISIBTBUTER FOR ELECTRIC IGNITERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 20, 1915.

Application filed July 15, 1914. Serial No. 851,158.

tor vehicles, a coil unit is required for each cylinder of the engine, hence the initial cost is excessive and the expense of maintenance is proportionately large.

The present invention has for its object .to reduce the number of coil units and to employ one coil unit only for a plurality of cylinders.

The invention is particularly designed as an improvement in the ignition system of the en 'ne employed in the well known Ford car. his car employs a coil unit for each cylinder. The present invention replaces the usual four coil units by a single coil which is common to the spark plugs of each cylinder, this being accomplished by the provision of a distribute! which is connected with the commutator to operate synchronously therewith so that when the primary circuit is completed, the secondary circuit is simultaneously closed through the proper spark plug, whereby the mixture in the cylinder ready for firing is ignited.

The invention further consists of a distributer associated with the commutator in a novel manner and is unique in structure, whereby such distributor may be readily applied to machinw already in use or upon the market, the result being that the cost of operation is materially" reduced and the parts simplified and reduced in number.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be moreparticuiarly set forth, illustrated and claimed.

In the drawings hereto attached :--Figure 1 is a. sectional detail of a. commutator. such as generally constructed for the Ford machine, and a distributor associated with such commutator and embodying the invention.

If g. 2 is a front view of the distributer. l 1g. 1s a. front view of the rotary part of the distributer. Fig. i is a detail view of the cover of the distributer as seen from the inner side. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic View showing the several circuits. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the connecting means between the commutator and distributor shafts. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View showing'more clearly the spring for holding the commutator in place Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The commutator illustrated is of the well known construction, being of the type generally empioyed in motof vehicles of the Ford type, and comprises a body 1 provided with conzacts 2 and a rotary arm 3 which is provided at its outer end with a roller to make electrical connection with the contacts 2 in rotation and close the primary circuit at the proper time. In the present instance, the circuit is closed in the primary coil of a s ngle unit in proper time to effect combustionof the fuel in the cylinder in which the gas is in condition for combustion.

The distributer comprises a body i of some insulating material preferably of a fibrous material,' such body being provided with a cover 5 and metal shell 6, the latter .forming connecting means between the two bodies of the commutator and distributor. An arm 7 extends from the metal shell 6 and is secured to the body 1 by suitable fastening means which in the present instance consist of an oil cup 8. A shaft 9 is mounted in the bodies 1 and d and has an arm 10 at its inner end which engages the arm 3 so as to rotate therewith. A disk 11 is formed at the outer end of the shaft 9 and is rotatable therewith, such disk being arranged within the body 4. A movable contact 12 is rotatable with the disk 11 and consists of a spring finger which is fitted in a recess 13 formed in the face of the disk 11. The movable contact 12 is mounted in the cover 5 to rotate therein. The cover 5 is of suitable insulating material and is held to the body 4 in any manner and is provided at a central point with an opening in which is fitted a metal socket ll in which a. helical spring 14 isplaced. A feed wire 15 is electrically connccte-d with the socket 1 1. A plurality of contacts 16 are set in the cover 5, and wires 17 returning from the several spark plugs are electrically connected therewith. The movable contact 12 is arranged so as to close the ignitii g circuit through the spark plugs of the se\ eral cylinders in proper time to ignite the gaseous mixture therein. The cover is stationary and is held to the body f in a manner to admit of the cover being removed therefrom. It is noted that the fixed contacts 16 are attached to the cover 5 and are removable therewith. Spring catches 18 are secured to the cover 5 and .means,

snap over the body 4; and retain the cover in place when properly positioned upon the body. To prevent possible turning of the cover the spring catches 18 enter notches 19 formed in the outer edge of the body 4.

It is apparent that but a single coil unit is necessary when a distributer embodying the invention is installed in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine. The circuit through the primary wire is closed by means of the commutator in the manner well understood. The secondary wire is included in the firing circuit of each cylinder by means of the movable contact 12 which is rotatable with the rotary arm 3 of the commutator, the primary and second circuits being closed practically at the'same time, the result being that a uniform spark is obtained for each cylinder and the liability of misiiring is reduced to the smallest chance possible. It is further observed that the initial cost is reduced as Well as the running expense and the ignition troubles commonly experienced in the operation of internal combustion engines for motor vehicles are minimized. The action of the commutator and distributer is synchronized by reason of the intermediate connection and the arrangement of the several contacts. Anymovement of the commutator body to advance or retard the sparkafiects both the primary and secondary circuits alike, this being manifest from the foregoing, reference being had to the drawings hereto attached. A washer 20 is secured to the commutator shaft 21 by means of a nut or in any convenient way and is formed with an arm 23 through which the arm 10 passes. By this the commutator and distributer shafts are connected to rotate together. The commutator is retained in place by means of a spring arm 24 which is adapted to be secured in any manner to a part of the machine, the said arm being forked to embrace the part 6 and bear against the body 1. It is observed that the contact 12 is bowed in its length, the inner end being pressed "earward by means of the spring 14:, thereby causing the outer end of the contact 12 to engage the inner side of the cover 5 so as to makepositive connection with the contacts 16. By having the contact 12 fit loosely in the recess 13, it may be easily replaced.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a distributer of the character specitied, the combination of a body, a rotary member arranged within such body, a cover removably fitted to the body, a movable contact arcuate shape in edge elevation yieldingly mounted upon the cover and engaged by the rotary member to be actuated thereby and a plurality of fixed contacts attached to said cover.

2. A distributor of the character specified, the same comprising a body, a disk rotatabl y mounted within the body and brovidcd in its outer side with a recess. a cover removably fitted to the body and inclosing the rotary disk, a movable contact arcuate shape in edge elevation yieldiugly mounted upon the cover and adapted to enter the recess of the disk to rotate therewith, and a plurality of fixed contacts attached to the cover.

A distributor comprising a rotatable disk having a lateral recess. a contact loosely fitted in the recess of the disk. a cover extending over the disk and inclosing the same and the contact and provided with a plurality of contacts to be engaged by the. outer end of the contact fitted in the recess of the disk, a socket fitted centrally to the cover and a helical spring arranged within such socket and exerting a pressure upon the inner end of the contact arranged in the recess of the disk.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CI-IAliiQiCC T. BLAKE.

Witnesses:

A. L. AncocK, V. N. RIDGELY. 

